Kherson day 3

Kherson day 3 -  Yesterday (Saturday) was Todd's last day to spend here with Anya before flying home.  He was originally supposed to fly home Saturday morning, but after only 2 short visits with Anya, he decided he came all this way and would like just one more day.  We were supposed to be picked up Saturday morning at 11:30, eat lunch and head to orphanage.  We have quickly figured out that whatever time they tell you something will happen, you can plan on several hours later.  We arrived at the orphanage at 2:30pm.  We were greeted with a worker who told our facilitator/translator that the director/principal had called and requested that we not mingle with other children at the orphanage, and we were put in a room with no windows and a bunch of hard chairs.  Not exactly a welcoming environment!  It just keeps getting better and better here in Kherson!   So the 3 American families here were stuck in this room with our kids.  After about 30 minutes we were already stir crazy and felt the need to get out of there, it was stuffy and hot among other things.  So we said we were going outside.  We were outside less than 5 minutes and had about 20 kids hanging around us.  We are all walking on eggshells around here trying to find the balance between being perfect americans who do as they are told so the director will give us his blessing on the adoption and sign the papers sooner than later, and saying enough is enough, we have done nothing wrong or illegal.  We are not sure if either stance will get us what we want (his signature), but we have decided for the sake of the children we are going the obedient route as much as possible.  Yet somehow one thing led to another and before long we were all going to the circus!  It was a little rinky dink circus, but the acrobats were highly impressive, and if the acrobats alone were not impressive enough, the costumes provided quite an impressive show as well.  Just ask the guys!

We took Anya's roommate, Suzanna, along with us to the circus, and those girls are not only roommates but best friends.  I can already see the heartbreak we will cause by separating these two.  The orphanage has over 200 kids, but they are divided into groups where they spend most of their time.  Anya's group has 14 boys and 3 girls.  One girl is in the hospital (mental illness) and the other girl is Suzanna.  So when Anya leaves, Suzanna will be alone.  I can't even express in words how it feels to be here in Ukraine.  The emotions you feel for these kids are like nothing you could ever experience without actually being here.

 Outside the orphanage before heading to the circus.  Anya loves holding Leo.  I always try to take him from her because I don't want her to think I expect her to help me with him, but she truly seems to enjoy him.

Anya and Suzanna waving out the window to Todd (top window, 4th from the left) as he was leaving for the airport.

Last night I called Tony and Bella.  They seem to be doing better than I ever expected them to.  They are still loving the attention from Grandma and Grandpa which makes it easy on me as well.